Page 66 of Destiny of the Witch

Chapter 58

After we had christened my new lab, we made our way back upstairs to finish the slightly warm overnight oats. I found myself staring at my left hand with a dopey smile on my face. I had given up on the dream of marriage a long time ago. With Jake in hiding, we could never have married openly.

I still missed Jake but I remembered him with fondness now. Jake was a part of my past that would never be unwritten; Bastion was a part of my future.

He nudged me. ‘Hey,’ he said softly, ‘you okay? You’re sad.’

I smiled. ‘Only a little. Just thinking about Jake. We would never have been happy, not like you and I can be.’

‘He loved you,’ Bastion offered.

‘I know, but not the way you do.’

‘No,’ heagreed, pulling me into his arms. ‘No one will love you the way I do.’ His fierce love rolled over me, scorching in its intensity. Luckily, I’ve always been a woman that likes heat.

Bastion pressed a kiss to my forehead. ‘So, I’ve arranged for some of our friends to come for lunch.’

I blinked. ‘We have friends?’

He grinned. ‘As unbelievable as it is, yes, we do. I’d like to announce our engagement.’ He paused. ‘Only a few people know that I am your familiar. I am honoured and proud to be, but I think the depth of our bond is best kept between us. If enemies of mine learned that they could harm me through you…’ He trailed off.

‘You want to keep it secret that you are my familiar?’

‘Secret makes it seems sordid and it’s not. But yes, I want to keep it need-to-know. Oscar and Luna know, obviously, and I have no issues with other friends knowing, but not the world at large. Is that okay with you? I know not having a familiar has been a big issue for you personally and professionally. If you would like to announce our bond—’

‘No,’ I interrupted firmly. ‘I have no need to prove myself to anyone. Certainly not at the expense of either your safety or mine.’

‘Are you sure? I don’t want you to feel pressured.’

I laughed. ‘Bastion, I agree with you. Stop trying to make an issue where there is none.’

The doorbell rang, saving us from further argument. By tacit agreement, we both went to get the door. To my surprise, there was a crowd on the doorstep. There was Oscar, Benji and my mum, as well as Shirdal and Charlize.

The latter’s eyes instantly zeroed in on my ring, making it clear that she had been fully in the know about her father’s plans. Charlize beamed at her dad and surreptitiously gave him a thumbs up, but she didn’t say anything aloud. She was waiting for us to make the announcement.

‘Come on in,’ Bastion greeted them. Charlize gave him an extra big hug, and I smiled fondly as he kissed her hair. Next she barrelled into me. ‘Congratulations!’ she breathed so softly that I barely heard her. I gave her a big squeeze back.

‘Your home is lovely, Bastion.’ Mum smiled warmly at him. I met her eyes, still searching forheras had become habit, but she met my eyes with her own and smiled. ‘Hello, darling.’ She pulled me into a hug. ‘I’ve put in my application to be part of the Coven Council. Fingers crossed for me. I’d forgotten how much I love Edinburgh. I find I’m quite ready for a change of scene.’

‘Fingers crossed!’ I replied lightly, feeling an unbelievable happiness burning in my chest. Even a matter of days ago, I wouldn’t have believed that Mum and I could have a conversation, let alone that she might one day be able to resume a position in witching society.

I released her and hugged Oscar. I had missed him so much that tears stung my eyes. He embraced me just as hard and kissed my forehead. ‘Hey kiddo,’ he murmured, just for me.

‘Hi, Dad,’ I responded. ‘I’ve missed you.’

‘Back at you. The new norm will take some getting used to.’

‘Yeah. Bastion made me some fresh orange juice.’

‘He’s a good man,’ Oscar replied, his voice warm with approval.

‘He is.’

Oscar and I hugged a moment longer; I wasn’t ready to let go, and he made no movement to end the hug either. ‘All right, Am?’ he asked as I finally stepped back.

I smiled. ‘Yes. I really am.’

Chapter 59

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